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Lolo's World - Christopher C.

https://thepalaceforlolo.blogspot.ca/2017/06/twitter-beef.html?showComment=1497015032881#c5580062027018965313

jessy takes on media arts - Jessalyn G.

https://jgeorgeofthejungle.blogspot.ca/2017/06/re-vrai-ou-faux.html?showComment=1497015553491#c4174419068075092512

CODY - Cody M.

https://cdymcsa.blogspot.ca/2017/06/blocked.html?showComment=1497016118853#c1669384591471281492

Atheenamazing - Athena B.

https://afgeebee.blogspot.ca/2017/06/kids-and-video-games.html?showComment=1497016449392#c8053509379884041709

Dan's Intriguing Blog - Dan V.

https://dansinterestingblog.blogspot.ca/2016/11/parents-using-social-media.html?showComment=1497018786051#c3663526224533102187

hi - Luis N.

https://brokeboyluis.blogspot.ca/2017/06/hey-dont-meme-me.html

The 2 Most Lopsided Trades in Recent MLB History

     Trades are a common occurrence in the business of baseball. Organizations are always looking to improve their rosters, and trades allow each team to fill the different holes of the team. During the season, MLB organizations can be classified into two categories: buyers and sellers.  Buyers trade their minor league prospects for experienced players to boost their lineups and give them the best chance of winning the World Series in the following years, while sellers trade their veterans to stock up on prospects if they doing poorly to focus on the organization's future. As a result of the high risk-high reward characteristic in prospects, trades that swap MLB players for prospects often end up as a big steal for one, and a bust for the other.  Listed are trades that at the time seemed reasonable, but turned out to be lopsided months after the acquisitions for both teams.

1. Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays

In the 2014 offseason, the Oakland Athletics traded young superstar Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays for Canadian third baseman Brett Lawrie and prospects Sean Nolin, Franklin Barreto and Kendall Graveman.  In the following season, Donaldson had a breakout season and slugged 41 home runs while hitting .297 en route to the AL MVP.  Lawrie and Nolin both undeperformed in the major league level, though Barreto and Graveman did well in their minor league teams.  After the 2015, it became clear that the Blue Jays were able to acquire one of the best sluggers in the game for a group of once-promising busts.

2.  Anthony Rizzo to the Cubs

Months before the start of the 2010 Spring Training, the Cubs sent elite but aging pitcher Andrew Cashner to the Padres for young prospect Anthony Rizzo. After a year in the Cubs minor league system, Rizzo showed pop in his bat while flashing the leather at first base to earn a spot in the Cubs lineup.  Ever since his call-up, Rizzo has been selected to three All Star Games while winning the Gold Glove and Platinum Glove in 2016 for his stellar defense and a Silver Slugger Award in the same year for being voted the best offensive first baseman.  He has also lead the Cubs to a World Series Ring in 2016 to end their 106 year drought, the longest in all professional sports.  Cashner, however, pitched decently, under achieving from his previous track record with the Cubs, until he was traded in the 2016 to the Miami Marlins.

Harper vs. Strickland: Round 3

       On Memorial Day 2017, Hunter Strickland delivered a 98 mph heater outside of the strike zone towards Bryce Harper's back.  Harper jumped out of the batter's box, but couldn't move away fast enough and was beaned on the hip.  The fans cheered, Harper charged the mound, and punches were thrown.  The dugouts cleared and a team versus team brawl ensued.
     The pitch's intent was clear to everyone including Harper, Strickland's teammates, and the fans.  In the 2014 playoffs, Harper's Washington Nationals and Strickland's San Francisco Giants faced off in the National League Division Series. In game 1, Harper hit a moonshot off Strickland.  He watched the ball sail and had no doubt it was gone.  In game 3, an elimination game for the Nationals, Harper hit another no-doubt home run off Strickland.  He flipped his bat and took his time rounding the bases while glancing at Strickland to show him off.  Strickland's Giants won the match up and went on to win the World Series, while Harper and the Nationals were sent home.  Two seasons later and all thought it was settled.
     Many raised an eyebrow after the incident.  It is common for pitchers to intentionally throw at a player as a sign of vengeance, but why do it years after?  Harper is known as a flashy, charismatic player, though he has earned it through being one of the best sluggers in the league ever since his rookie year. Surely, it was nothing personal.  Harper's emotions got the best of him during his very second playoff appearance ever.  Strickland clearly took offense and continued to hold a grudge for years until he had his chance for payback a week ago.
     I believe that Strickland should never had thrown at Harper. Was there bad blood between the two?  Yes, but to begin with, Strickland should never had thrown a pitch down the heart of the strike zone to the sport's deadliest hitter - twice.  The root cause of all this also happened in the 2014 playoffs, 3 years ago.  Harper has gained superstar status and is predicted to sign a multi-year contract north of 200 million when he enters free agency.  Strickland, however, is still not guaranteed to be in the major league team at the end of the season and isn't considered to be a big piece in the Giants team. Though both players were suspended for 4 and 6 games, respectively, Harper's actions were rightfully justified.

Moral of the story: don't get offended when you make mistakes on the mound and give up home runs to one of the strongest players in the league.

All Rise for Aaron Judge

    As of June 6, 2017, Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge leads the league in home runs with 18 through 54 games.  What's so special about Judge's ability to hit bombs, you may ask?  Albeit Yankee Stadium has one of the shortest outfield dimensions compared to every other MLB stadium, this is Judge's first full season in the major leagues.  Also, he's just 25 years old.

    He first made headlines in the 2016 season after he hit a home run in his first ever plate appearance in the major league level, right after fellow rookie Tyler Austin also hit his first home run in his first ever plate appearance.  This occurrence, having two rookies hit back-to-back home runs in both of their first ever plate appearances made history as the first ever in MLB history.

    What makes this even more impressive is the fact that Judge had to fight for a roster spot in the beginning of the year.  Before the season, many tabbed the Yankees to be a non-contending team in the playoffs.  They have traded many of their superstars for prospects to focus on the organization's future, also known as rebuilding.  Young prospects such as Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird have stepped up and truly proved everyone wrong.  The Yankees have surprised the baseball world by currently leading the AL East over powerhouse teams such as the Blue Jays and the Red Sox with a record of 32-22, the 4th best in the entire league.

    Many continue to doubt the Yankees' hot start, foreseeing a downfall in the near future.  I believe that the team is capable of making a deep playoff run, but many things need to go right including consistent production from every player and avoiding injuries.

Best Active Canadian Baseball Players

It is a given that professional baseball is dominated by Americans.  About 3/4 of active players in the MLB, the most renowned professional baseball league in the world, are American.  Despite all the stereotypes and odds, several Canadian baseball players have shined on the big stage and proven that Canada has serious talent to offer.

3. James Paxton, Starting Pitcher, Seattle Mariners
    British Columbia

After a disappointing 2016 season, Paxton found his groove in the offseason and has pitched to a 1.76 earned run average (ERA) in 7 starts, second best in the MLB.  Nicknamed "The Big Maple," Paxton is considered the top arm in the Mariners rotation this season over previous Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez and Japanese phenom Hisashi Iwakuma.  The 2017 season is far from over and Paxton still has a lot to prove, but if his pitching continues to get the best of hitters, expect him to contend for the Cy Young Award and perhaps the league MVP.

2. Russell Martin, Catcher, Toronto Blue Jays
    Ontario/Quebec

Russell Martin has proved to be one of the best catchers in the league for many years.  He is considered one of the best two-way catchers in the MLB, featuring above-average defence (2007 Gold Glove winner) and his exceptional ability to swing for power and contact (2007 Silver Slugger winner).  In his 11 year career, he has been chosen to represent his team in the All-Star Game four times, the last one being in 2015.  His value as a catcher goes much deeper than his production on the field, as he is seen as the "second manager" of any team he plays for.  He has lead every team he played for to a playoff berth since 2011.


1. Joey Votto, First Baseman, Cincinnati Reds
     Ontario

Joey Votto has consistently proven to be one of the best players in the league offensively and defensively, winning the league MVP in 2010 and a Gold Glove in 2011.  He is known for his consistent power and plate discipline.  Votto was chosen to four straight All-Star Game appearances from 2010 to 2013.  Votto boasts a career .311 batting average, fourth best in active players in the MLB.  Despite his superstar status, he has never played for a lineup deep enough to compete for the World Series.  In his 10 year career all with the Reds, his team has always been an obstacle on his way to a championship.  He has only played in the postseason three times and had never passed the NL Division Series (first round).

The High Flying Astros

    Last year, the Houston Astros finished the season with a record of 84-78, failing to reach the postseason.  The Astros front office brought in several big names in the offseason including Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick, and Brian McCann.  Although they saw a few big names walk out the door to move to a new team, the Astros felt that their team was solid enough to contend for a World Series ring.  Fast-forward to a few months later, as of June 6, 2017, the Astros lead the MLB with a 42-16 record, the only team with over 40 wins. They are in the midst of an 11 game win-streak, one win away from tying their franchise record.

    The Astros are clearly favoured to win the AL West and clinch a playoff berth.  Moving on, the Astros would have to trade for another starting pitcher to finalize their rotation and solidify their pitching.  The Astros lineup is sufficient as it is, led by Jose Altuve, last year's AL batting champion and Carlos Correa, the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year. Their bullpen is considered one of the best in preserving leads, led by closer Ken Giles and long reliever Chris Devenski.

    It certainly helps to play in a below-average division.  Many players have also bounced back from mediocre seasons last year.  Is it reasonable to expect the Astros to play as good as they are currently for the remainder of the season?  Probably not, but with the many solid pieces in the Astros team, everyone could expect a great team for the next few seasons.

Fun Times at Rogers Centre

     On Saturday, June 5, 2017, a friend and I went to the Rogers Centre to watch the hometown Blue Jays face off against the New York Yankees, my fifth game of the young season.  Game time was set at 1:07 pm, though we left early at around 9:00 am because of two things: to avoid the long lines before the game and to give us the best shot at getting a baseball.  Batting practice takes place hours before the first pitch of every MLB game, and all fans with tickets are welcome to watch and maybe snag a baseball to bring home.
               We walked in at 11:00 am and ran to foul territory to see the Blue Jays hitting in the cage and different Blue Jays players in the outfield shagging anything that comes their way.  On our way down the stairs, I spotted Danny Barnes, Blue Jays relief pitcher, move towards us to scoop up a ball hit off the bat by Josh Donaldson.  I raced down to the aisle to about the 20th row, waved my glove and screamed: "Hit me with your best fastball!" He went into his pitching motion and fired me a bullet, a perfect chest-high throw that I'd say clocked at around 60 mph.  A few moments after, I took a photo of the baseball, my 8th lifetime:

     I knew I could get another baseball If I carefully chose where to position myself whether it be a batted ball or a ball tossed up by a player, but my friend and I decided to wander around the stadium and simply appreciate the ballpark before 1:07 pm.  Before the game, we bought a churro poutine, a new special from Toronto Street Eats, a concession stand in Rogers Centre which consisted of churros topped with ice cream.
     The game itself wasn't too great.  The game was close until the 8th inning when Jays reliever Jason Grilli imploded and allowed four solo home runs. We ended up leaving early to avoid traffic and the long lines in the exit, though I did take a panoramic photo of the stadium as I do in every game I attend before we left:

Extremely fun day. The only thing that would've made my day better was a Blue Jays win. Oh well.